A friend of mine tweeted this statement… There are two types of fans: superhero fans and comics fans. The problem is that most superhero fans mistakenly believe they're comics fans. Any thoughts on this?

That statement assumes that most superhero fans don't like other types of comic genres. That blanket assessment may have been true 20 years ago, when the only comics available on the newsstands were basically superhero books. Most collectors today frequent comic shops, where they sample all types of comics. So I agree that you can't consider yourself a comics fan if you only like superhero books; however, I think it's a minority these days (especially among adults) that you have a collector that only reads superhero books.

I dabble here and there in licensed, horror, and fantasy comics from time to time, and I do follow Star Trek comics. But I have to admit, I am mostly a superhero comic reader. And with those I only read Marvel & DC Comics. That already takes enough out of my wallet as it is.

I dabble here and there in licensed, horror, and fantasy comics from time to time, and I do follow Star Trek comics. But I have to admit, I am mostly a superhero comic reader. And with those I only read Marvel & DC Comics. That already takes enough out of my wallet as it is.

I think if you enjoy other genres (even if you don't buy them regularly), then you would qualify as a comics fan (using the above-mentioned criteria). I think the Tweeter meant people who think only Super Hero books are any good when he was talking about them not being true comics fans.

I took the initial statement to mean you have people that read comics religiously, like most everyone here. These are comic fans, no matter what genre they read. Then you have the people that buy the superhero apparel, go see the superhero movies, claim they love superman and wolverine or whoever, but have never read a comic in their life, or maybe did for like a week but for whatever reason lost interest, and make the claim they are a comic book fan. Not in my book. I would label these people something along the lines of poser.

I don't agree with that original assessment. Even though I like more than just superhero comics, I think if someone did only like superhero comics, he could still be considered a comic fan.

On the other hand, with all the superhero movies coming out, I do believe there are superhero fans that are not comic fans.

Hope that makes sense.

Now, as far as comic fans go, I believe there are two types. Marvel fans and DC fans.

You might like both, you might even love both, but there is always going to be one you lovely slightly more than the other.

And on the flip side of that, you might not like either. But if you had to choose, there would be one you prefer over the other for some reason or another.

I agree with this statement.

When I first started reading/collecting comics in the late 80's/early 90's, I was definitely a "Marvel guy." I look at my pull-list now and not a single Marvel title in the lot. Half my list is DC (New 52) and the other half is IDW and Image.

My pull list is 70% non-cape stuff now (thanks for stepping up where DC is failing, Image!), but my missing backissue list is 90% superhero comics.

I love superheroes, but my favorite comics and GNs come from Fantagraphics and Oni Press. When it comes down to it, compelling stories will always trump action for me. My taste has fallen that way for as long as I've been reading comics.

However, to say that people who are only fans of superhero comics aren't really comic fans reeks of elitism. It's kind of like the old, "You're not a TRUE fan of -this character/franchise- if you've only seen the cartoons/movies and not read the comics" argument. If you've only seen the Batman cartoons, you are still a Batman fan. If you've only ever read X-Men comics, you're still a comic fan.

My pull list is 70% non-cape stuff now (thanks for stepping up where DC is failing, Image!), but my missing backissue list is 90% superhero comics.

I love superheroes, but my favorite comics and GNs come from Fantagraphics and Oni Press. When it comes down to it, compelling stories will always trump action for me. My taste has fallen that way for as long as I've been reading comics.

However, to say that people who are only fans of superhero comics aren't really comic fans reeks of elitism. It's kind of like the old, "You're not a TRUE fan of -this character/franchise- if you've only seen the cartoons/movies and not read the comics" argument. If you've only seen the Batman cartoons, you are still a Batman fan. If you've only ever read X-Men comics, you're still a comic fan.

+1 Well put.

(referring to an original comic book piece) This is a art gallery my friend and THIS is a piece of art.

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